Russia, country that stretches over a vast expanse of eastern Europe and northern Asia. Once the preeminent republic of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.; commonly known as the Soviet Union), Russia became an independent country after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991.Even in the summer, the lakes and rivers in Russia are pretty cold. The Ob River near Novosibirsk is just 63 degrees Fahrenheit in August, which doesn't sound too terrible until you jump into it and realize that you'd rather be dead than be in the Ob River right now. Still, the Russians have a swimming challenge in the Ob River in August, and you're thinking, "That's not really that weird since there are lots of cold water swimming challenges in other countries, too."
